Infantino Pushes 64-Team World Cup for 2030 as FIFA Faces Growing Opposition
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 20
Infantino Pushes 64-Team World Cup for 2030 as FIFA Faces Growing Opposition
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 20
Summary
A 64-team World Cup is being openly championed by Gianni Infantino, who argues more places would help smaller nations develop and could fit a cleaner 16-group format with the top two advancing.
Conmebol first sought the one-off 64-team expansion for the 2030 centenary tournament in April 2025, but Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC have all warned it would harm qualifying, disrupt the wider game or create chaos.
24 extra matches would likely add about five days to a tournament that already ran 39 days this summer, while more host cities, 64 elite training bases and greater transport and hotel capacity would be needed.
FIFA's financial incentive is clear: it projected $6.5 billion for a 48-team World Cup in 2017 and now expects about $9 billion from this year's expanded event, with a 64-team edition likely to lift TV, sponsorship and ticket revenue further.
The debate now turns on whether broader access outweighs weaker competitive balance, after this year's expansion produced one breakout debutant in Cape Verde but also several winless teams and reduced jeopardy for top nations.
Is a 64-team World Cup trading player welfare and tournament prestige for FIFA's record-breaking financial gain?
With integrity fears rising, can FIFA truly regulate a massive World Cup while also profiting from a booming betting market?
FIFA’s 2030 World Cup Expansion: The 64-Team Proposal and Its Global Impact
Overview
As the 2030 FIFA World Cup approaches its centenary, a major debate has emerged about expanding the tournament. FIFA is considering increasing the number of teams to 64, which would double the number of matches to 128. The event is set to be co-hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with special opening games in South America. FIFA presents this expansion as a way to grow football globally, offering more nations a chance to participate. However, the proposal also raises questions about logistics, competitive balance, and the political motivations behind such a significant change.